Emily Wolfe and Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls – Buffalo, NY

From Emily Wolfe’s opening set to Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls’ 23 song performance, there was plenty happening at Buffalo’s Town Ballroom. Wolfe showcased her mix of heavy riffs, bluesy guitar, and garage rock, while Turner kept the crowd engaged with a set built around punk rock, storytelling, and songs that ranged from acoustic driven to downright heavy.

Emily Wolfe opened the evening at the Town Ballroom, stepping on stage with a drummer, bass player, and a double neck guitar. With a sound that combines heavy riffs, bluesy guitar, and garage rock, Wolfe wasted little time showing the crowd what she was about. The audience was extremely receptive from the start, giving Wolfe and her band plenty of encouragement throughout the set. Her guitar work moved between heavier riffs and bluesy passages, with the effects adding another layer to both the guitar and bass without taking away from the straightforward feel of the songs. Tracks including “Walk in My Shoes,” “Crave Me,” and “Lips” highlighted Wolfe’s songwriting and playing, while “Holy Roller” stood out with its driving drum beat, memorable riff, and message of empowerment. The set gave the Buffalo crowd a solid introduction to Wolfe’s music before Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls took over the evening.

Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls followed with an energetic 23 song set that moved between acoustic driven, folk inspired punk and heavier songs that leaned closer to hardcore. Turner speaks from the heart and keeps things real, whether he is delivering a song or telling one of the many stories that have become part of his live shows. His punk rock spirit was evident throughout the night, including a circle pit that formed during one of the heavier moments, but Turner also made it clear that respect and compassion for everyone in the room matter just as much. The Buffalo show marked Turner’s 3,173rd performance, a number he makes a point of announcing at each stop along the way. The show was also part of a five show run leading into his ninth annual Lost Evenings festival in Texas later this month, giving Turner and the Sleeping Souls an opportunity to perform songs they may not have played together recently. The result was a set that felt energetic and personal, with Turner’s storytelling adding another layer to the music.